Herbs, climbers, shrubs and small trees, sometimes with swollen twig bases (Ardisia) Leaves alternate, spiral, simple (trees) to lobed (herbs), often with black dots. Stipules absent. Flowers regular, usually bisexual, usually 5-merous, 4-5(-6) sepals usually fused at base, 4-5(-6) petals fused at base, stamens opposite of petals, ovary superior to half-inferior, 1-locular. Fruit colourful drupes, with persistent calyx.
General info
Distribution Widespread in tropical and warm temperate regions of the old world with 1225 species. Ecology Usually as forest understorey trees. Uses Edible leaves, ornamentals. Similar to Myristicaceae but these differ in having red sap and arrilate seeds. Plumbaginaceae but these have no leaf dots and an ovary with only 1 ovule. Ochnaceae, but these have stipules and no leaf dots. Remark This includes may genera formerly belonging to the family Myrsinaceae!
Family description
Herbs, climbers, shrubs and small trees, sometimes with swollen twig bases (Ardisia)Leaves alternate, spiral, simple (trees) to lobed (herbs), often with black dots. Stipules absent.
Flowers regular, usually bisexual, usually 5-merous, 4-5(-6) sepals usually fused at base, 4-5(-6) petals fused at base, stamens opposite of petals, ovary superior to half-inferior, 1-locular.
Fruit colourful drupes, with persistent calyx.
General info
Distribution Widespread in tropical and warm temperate regions of the old world with 1225 species.Ecology Usually as forest understorey trees.
Uses Edible leaves, ornamentals.
Similar to Myristicaceae but these differ in having red sap and arrilate seeds. Plumbaginaceae but these have no leaf dots and an ovary with only 1 ovule. Ochnaceae, but these have stipules and no leaf dots.
Remark This includes may genera formerly belonging to the family Myrsinaceae!
Treated genera
Primulaceae.pdf
Ardisia pterocaulis
Maesa sp